Mr Marcus Dobbs

Engineering Geologist

Location: BGS Keyworth

Tel: 0115 936 3380

E-mail Mr Marcus Dobbs

Accreditations

–2004 : Imperial College London, BSc (Hons) Geology

Boards and committees

2010 –2014 : Steering Group for Nottingham Caves Survey (Caves of Nottingham Regeneration Project)

Biography

2016 – ongoing : Project Manager - BGS Singapore projects
2014 – ongoing : BGS Rock Mechanics and Physics Laboratory Manager
2008 – ongoing : Engineering Geologist - British Geological Survey
2005 –2008 : Geotechnical Engineer - Waterman Civils Ltd
2004 –2005 : Field Geochemist - G-Base and Tellus Projects, British Geological Survey
1996 –1999 : Laboratory Technician (Soils and concrete testing) - Balfour Beatty plc (A1(M), M60, M6 Toll)

Current projects and collaboration

2015 – ongoing : Singapore - Study of Stratigraphy and Structural Geology for Application to Geological Modelling
2014 –2017 : Singapore - Seismic Review and Rock Laboratory Testing
2013 – ongoing : CONTAIN - The impaCt of hydrOcarbon depletioN on the Treatment of cAprocks within performance assessment for CO2 InjectioN schemes
2013 – ongoing : IMAGES - Integrated, Market-fit and Affordable Grid-scale Energy Storage (EPSRC grant funded)
2013 – ongoing : Deformation and failure mode of the Monte Canale micro-folded gneiss
2011 – ongoing : EPS - Use of electric potential sensors in rock deformation (University of Sussex)
2008 – ongoing : Geotechnical and Geophysical Properties and Processes: Characterising the geotechnical properties and engineering behaviour of glacial tills and Permian-Triassic sandstones
2009 – ongoing : Mathematical Modelling: Geotechnical property attribution of 3D models

Research interests

Experimental rock mechanics
Stress induced changes in the electric potential of rocks
Characterising the geotechnical properties and behaviour of UK rock and soil formations
Storage and communication of geotechnical information using 3D models and geographical information systems
Geology of Singapore

Key papers

Agliardi, F., Dobbs, M.R., Zanchetta, S. and Vinciguerra, S. 2017. Folded fabric tunes rock deformation and failure mode in the upper crust. Scientific Reports 7, Article number: 15290.
Bubeck, A, Walker, R J, Healy, D, Dobbs, M, and Holwell, D A. 2017. Pore geometry as a control on rock strength. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 457 (2017) 38–48.
Archer, J W, Dobbs, M R, Reeves, H J, and Prance, R J. 2016. Measurement and correlation of acoustic emissions and pressure stimulated voltages in rock using an electric potential sensor. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 89, 26–33.
Timothy Kearsey, John Williams, Andrew Finlayson, Paul Williamson, Marcus Dobbs,Benjamin Marchant, Andrew Kingdon, Diarmad Campbell. 2015. Testing the application and limitation of stochastic simulations to predict the lithology of glacial and fluvial deposits in Central Glasgow, UK. Engineering Geology 187 (2015) 98–112.
Aydin, A, Dobbs, M R, Reeves, H J, Graham, C C, and Kirkham, M P. 2013. Measuring stress induced electric field in Sandstone and Granite using the Electric Potential Sensor. EUROCK 2013 21–26th September 2013. Wroclaw, Poland.
Aydin, A, Dobbs, M R, Reeves, H J, Kirkham, M P, Graham, C C, and Jefferson, I. 2013. Electric field in compressed concrete using the Electric Potential Sensor. Second Conference on Smart Monitoring, Assessment and Rehabilitation of Civil Structures. 9–11th September 2013. Istanbul, Turkey.
Aydin, A, Dobbs, M R, Reeves, H J, Kirkham, M P, and Graham, C C. 2013. Stress induced electric field measurements of different rock lithology using the Electric Potential Sensor. 47th US Rock Mechanics / Geomechanics Symposium. 23 – 26th June 2013. San Francisco, USA.
MacDonald, A M, Maurice, L, Dobbs, M R, Reeves, H J and Auton, C A. 2012. Relating in situ hydraulic conductivity, particle size and relative density of superficial deposits in a heterogeneous catchment. Journal of Hydrology, 434–435, 130–141.
Dobbs, M R, Culshaw, M G, Northmore, K J, Reeves, H J & Entwisle, D C. 2012. Methodology for creating national engineering geological maps of the UK. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 45, 335–347.
Culshaw, M G, Dobbs, M, Reeves, H, J, Northmore, K J & Entwisle, D C. 2010. A tribute to Professor William Dearman: New small-scale engineering geological maps of the UK. In: Williams, A L, Pinches, G M, Chn, C Y, McMorran, T J & Massey, C I(eds). Geologically Active: Proceedings of the 11th IAEG Congress, Auckland, New Zealand, 5–10 Sept 2010. 187–198.

Commissioned reports

GILLESPIE, M R, LESLIE, A G, DODD, T, KENDALL, R, WAKEFIELD, O J & DOBBS, M R. 2016. Bedrock Geology Interim Core Logging Report. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/16/200. 27pp.
FORD, J. R. AND DOBBS, M. R.. 2016. Desk Study and Review Report on previous maps, publications and data on the geology of Singapore. British Geological Survey Internal Report, CR\16\059. 68 pp.
MR DOBBS, A OUGIER-SIMONIN. 2016. Multi-stage triaxial rock testing of sandstone, siltstone and mudstone specimens for York Potash Mineral Transport System. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/16/140. 163pp.
EVANS, D. J., LESLIE, A. G., White, J. C., DOBBS, M.R. AND DASHWOOD, B.A.J.. 2016. Area B Seismic Audit Report. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/16/210. 75pp.
EVANS, D. J., LESLIE, A. G., White, J. C., DOBBS, M.R. AND DASHWOOD, B.A.J.. 2016. Area F Seismic Audit Report. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/16/211. 97pp.
EVANS, D. J., WHITE, J. C., Dashwood, B.A.J., DOBBS, M.R. AND LESLIE, A. G.. 2016. Area B Main Production Seismic Stage Review Report. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/16/186. 47pp.
EVANS, D. J., WHITE, J. C., Dashwood, B.A.J., DOBBS, M.R. AND LESLIE, A. G.. 2016. Area F Main Production Seismic Stage Review Report. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/16/187. 39pp.
WHITE, J. C., DASHWOOD, B.A.J., DOBBS, M.R., EVANS, D. J., LESLIE, A. G., JACKSON, P. , HAWDON, K., DEEMING, K. AND ALI, M.. 2016. Area B Seismic First Line Stage Review Report. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/16/132. 107pp.
WHITE, J. C., DASHWOOD, B.A.J., DOBBS, M.R., EVANS, D. J., LESLIE, A. G., JACKSON, P. , HAWDON, K., DEEMING, K. AND ALI, M.. 2016. Area F Seismic First Line Stage Review Report. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/16/133. 102pp.
MR DOBBS. 2015. Triaxial Deformation Tests on Ludlow Shale Group Siltstone. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/15/098. 133pp.
JACKSON, P., DOBBS, M.R., DASHWOOD, B.A.J., HAWDON, K., DEEMING, K. AND ALI, M. . 2014. Area B Seismic Trials Stage Review Report. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/14/107. 51pp.
JACKSON, P., DOBBS, M.R., Hawdon, K., Deeming, K., Ali, M. and Dashwood, B.A.J.. 2014. Area F Seismic Trials Stage Review Report. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report, CR/14/106. 53pp.
MR Dobbs, MP Kirkham, AS Butcher & S Wathall. 2014. Multi-stage triaxial rock testing of sandstone, siltstone and mudstone specimens for York Potash Mineral Transport System. British Geological Survey COMMISSIONED REPORT CR/14/126.
MR Dobbs & MP Kirkham. 2013. Laboratory rock testing of samples from boreholes HZEM-2, ST-51-C, MNSA-1 and ST-51-E for Saudi Aramco. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report CR/13/132.
A R Farrant and M R Dobbs. 2012. Pen Park Hole Cave Survey Project, Southmead, Bristol. British Geological Surevy Commissioned Report CR/12/104.
P.R.N. Hobbs, M. R. Dobbs and R. J. Cuss. 2012. Desk Based Study and Literature Review of Diapirism in Plastic Clays and an analysis of the Critical state of Boom Clay. British Geological Survey Commercial Report CR/11/012.
Hough, E & Dobbs, M & Witney, P. 2010. Hay Nook and Burrows Marsh (Middle Deviated) borehole core lithological logging. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report CR/10/128.
M. Dobbs and P. S. Balson. 2010. Drigg Spit: Intrusive Investigations. British Geological Survey Commissioned Report CR/10/050
DOBBS, M. HOUGH, E. & EVANS, D.J. 2009a. Report on the Hay Nook Borehole, Preesall, Lancashire. British Geological Survey, Commercial in Confidence report to Canatxx Gas Storage Limited, January 2009, BGS Report Number CR/09/049.
DOBBS, M. HOUGH, E. & EVANS, D.J. 2009b. Report on the Burrows Marsh Borehole (Middle Deviated), Preesall, Lancashire. British Geological Survey, Commercial in Confidence report to Canatxx Gas Storage Limited, January 2009, BGS Report Number CR/09/015.

Professional association

2005 – ongoing : Fellow of the Geological Society of London

Published outputs

DOBBS, M. R., KIRKHAM, M. P., Ougier-Simonin, A. and Cuss, R. J.. 2016. CONTAIN D3: Experimental parameters from reservoir material testing. Deliverable, D3. BGS Open Report OR/16/048. 157pp.
ENTWISLE D C, HOBBS, P R N, NORTHMORE, K J, SKIPPER, J, RAINES, M R, SELF, S J, ELLISON, R A AND JONES L D. 2013. Engineering Geology of British Rocks and Soils - Lambeth Group. British Geological Survey Open Report, OR/13/006. 316pp. (Editors K J Northmore, M R Dobbs & S J Price)
J D O Williams & M R Dobbs. 2012. Particle Size Distribution analysis of central Glasgow in relation to lithology classification used in stochastic modelling. British Geological Survey Internal Report IR/12/039.
M R Dobbs, P R N Hobbs & M Kirkham. 2012. MTS Rock Press User Manual - Tensile Strength Testing. British Geological Survey. INTERNAL REPORT IR/12/014.
M R Dobbs, P R N Hobbs & M Kirkham. 2012. MTS Rock Press User Manual - Triaxial Testing. British Geological Survey INTERNAL REPORT IR/12/012.
M R Dobbs, P R N Hobbs & M Kirkham. 2012. MTS Rock Press User Manual - Uniaxial Testing.British Geological Survey INTERNAL REPORT IR/12/013.
BRITISH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 2011. Engineering Geology (Bedrock) Map of the United Kingdom. William R Dearman, Marcus R Dobbs, Martin G Culshaw, Kevin J Northmore, David C Entwisle and Helen J Reeves.
BRITISH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 2011. Engineering Geology (Superficial) Map of the United Kingdom. William R Dearman, Marcus R Dobbs, Martin G Culshaw, Kevin J Northmore, David C Entwisle and Helen J Reeves.
BRITISH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 2011. Extended key for the engineering geology maps of the United Kingdom. William R Dearman, Marcus R Dobbs, Martin G Culshaw, Kevin J Northmore, David C Entwisle and Helen J Reeves.
Dobbs, M R. 2009. Tills Engineering Geology: Haslingden and Bowlee Boreholes, Lancashire. British Geological Survey Open File Report, OR/09/044. 46pp.

Skills

2009 – ongoing : Soil and Rock Testing (British Standards, International Society Rock Mechanics, American Society for Testing and Materials)
2009 – ongoing : Terrestrial LiDAR and Global Navigation Satellite System Surveying
2008 – ongoing : Project Management - Singapore, BGS Rock Mechanics Laboratory, Nottingham Caves Database, GGPP - Bedrock Project
1996 – ongoing : Engineering geological classification of soils and rocks (British Standards, International Society of Rock Mechanics